The IOMLTA has confirmed that the County Closed Veteran Championships will be hosted by Albany at their Ballaughton Meadows courts from 7 – 15 May. The Referee will be Ian Watson. I’m told the older players will be pleased that they will be playing on the cushioned acrylic courts that are so kind to “old joints”!

Our full calendar of events planned for this year: April 16 – 23 Nedgroup Junior OPEN; April 30 – May 2 Visiting team from Dublin; May 7 – May 15 Isle of Man LTA Veteran Championships; June 25 – July 3 Chrystals Senior OPEN; July 9 – July 16 Equiom Junior OPEN; September 10 – 18 Club Championships. Please put these dates in your diary now and make a New Year’s Resolution to support the events whenever possible. One very special date is Friday 7 October's Celebration Dinner at The Empress Hotel to mark 50yrs since a small committee bought the Ballaughton Meadows land. The committee are already working hard to make this a special event and look forward to having your full support. More details next month.

Other one day events such as Presidents Day (Senior Junior), will be arranged and the Committee hope that many members will support these events.

The club has a quantity of boys used but good quality tennis kit for sale – prices ?3 - ?5, to fit ages 10 – 13yrs. This can be seen at the club on Saturdays when the coaching is on. All proceeds to club funds. Also on sale are the Mini Tennis and Junior Auxesia sponsored shirts. These are excellent quality and only cost ?10.

A reminder that all coaching re-starts at the usual time from next Monday 15 February. Children wishing to join the extensive Mini Tennis programme for children aged 5 upwards should attend the club on Saturday 20 from 12noon or contact Pat Sharp (861497/498597) for further details.

A final reminder if any members are thinking of taking part in the Organisers Course which will be held next Thursday 18 February from 6pm – 9pm that the closing date for applying is Monday 15th and you should contact Ian Watson the course instructor.

Cost of the course is ?25 but the first 10 places are free of charge.